Jazz: Live at the Library has returned to downtown Lexington after a two-year hiatus. Thanks for the heads up, Reader John M.

The free event will be held at its usual time + location where it has been since its inception in 2007 — 7-8:15 p.m. at the Central Branch of the Lexington Public Library’s Farish Theater, 140 E. Main St.

We spoke to the show’s producer Dave McWhorter (that’s just one of the many roles he plays in the jazz community) to learn more about this returning concert series.

Roots

Dave is the founder of The Jazz Arts Foundation, Inc., a local nonprofit that was established in 1989, shortly after the Joint Houses of Congress passed a resolution in 1987 declaring jazz an American National Treasure.

The Jazz Arts Foundation has hosted Jazz: Live at the Library since April 2007, bringing 230+ musicians from around the region and the world — right to downtown Lexington. It also helps to promote the soulful sounds by sponsoring events, publishing newsletters, coordinating musicians’ calendars, awarding scholarships for students to work with acclaimed saxophonist Jamey Aebersold + more.

Music to our ears

Let’s take a look at where + when you can listen to jazz musicians around town —

Base249, 249 E. Main St. | The Origins Jazz Series hosts free shows with its Origins Jazz Lounge on the first Tuesday of every month. It also brings in a rotation of special guests from around the country once a month.
Crēaux, 310 W. Short St. | This New Orleans-style downtown spot features local art, small plates, specialty cocktails, and of course live music each weekend night.
Giuseppe’s, 4456 Nicholasville Rd. | David Hall + Jason Yeary provide the perfect dining ambiance seven nights a week.
Tony’s of Lexington, 401 W. Main St. | The power trio of Miles Osland, Vince DeMartino, and Raliegh Daley can often be found jazzing up your dinner experience.

Pro tip: Join this Facebook group to get updates from musicians themselves + jazz enthusiasts alike.